ICT infrastructure in university libraries of Karnataka

Annals of Library and Information Studies 236 ANN. LIB. INF. STU., DECEMBER 2009 Vol. 56, December 2009, pp. 236-241 ICT infrastructure in university libraries of Karnataka R. H. Walmiki 1 & K.C. Ramakrishnegowda 2 1 Assistant Librarian (Sr. Grade), Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta 577 541, Shivamogga District, Karnataka, E-mail: wrh@kuvempu.ac.in 2 University Librarian, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta 577 541, Shivamogga District, Karnataka. E-mail: kcr@kuvempu.ac.in Survey of the status of ICT infrastructure in six selected university libraries of Karnataka revealed that the libraries greatly vary from one to another as far as the ICT infrastructure is concerned. Most of the libraries lack sufficient hardware and software facilities and do not have adequate internet nodes and bandwidth. The campus LANs of the universities are not fully extended to exploit the benefits of digital information environment. Introduction Information and Communication Technology (ICT) comprises a diverse set of technological tools to identify, collect, organize, create and disseminate data and information. The ICT encompasses a wide range of technologies including telecommunication technologies, such as telephony, cable, satellite, TV and radio, computer-mediated conferencing and videoconferencing, as well as digital technologies, such as computers, information networks (internet, world wide web and intranet) and software application. In other words, ICT has emerged as a result of the digital convergence of computer technologies, telecommunication technologies and other media communication technologies. ICT has altered the ways in which the academic activities teaching, learning, research and extension activities are carried out at higher education level. ICT has helped to overcome the barriers of time and space and reduced the time-lag between the generation of information and its consumption by the end user. University library, as a sub-system of higher education, should act as a trend-setter in adopting ICT in its activities. Ever dynamic ICT has challenged the traditional process of library activities and this situation stresses the necessity for the university libraries to be part of the ICT based information world. ICT offers ample opportunities for libraries to automate the traditional activities, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, develop institutional repositories, provide value-added information services and initiate capacity building programmes for library staff and library users. The present study is an attempt to assess and report the ways in which the university libraries in Karnataka have responded to changing information environment and developed infrastructure to use ICT. Literature review The ICT infrastructure is as important as the older essential technological infrastructure such as electricity and transportation 1. The ICT has become ubiquitous and ushered into a whole new era of teaching, learning and research 2-3. Similarly, the ICT has influenced the field of library and information services 4. The main components of the ICT are computers, network and internet, display screen technologies and peripherals, and software and information systems 5. Rubrics (set of categories that define and describe the important components of the areas being assessed) have been proposed for assessing ICT infrastructure 6-7. Nyamboga and Kemparaju 8 revealed the status of ICT infrastructure such as availability of computers and network facilities in six Karnataka State University Libraries. They concluded that the university libraries in Karnataka that they studied were lagging behind in the application of ICT. Naik 9 examined the communication

WALMIKI & GOWDA : ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF KARNATAKA 237 media available in eight university libraries in Karnataka State and confirmed that these libraries were at different stages of development and majority of them lack ICT infrastructure. Venkataramana and Chandrasekhar Rao 10 conducted a survey to evaluate the hardware, software, network facilities and status of library automation in central university libraries in India. The study concluded that IT has been deeply embedded in these libraries and the trend will continue in future. Mahapatra and Padhi 11 reported the state-of-the-art of ICT infrastructure and problems in application of modern technologies in libraries in Orissa. They confirmed that inadequate finance and lack of trained staff were the major stumbling blocks in application of ICT in these libraries. The survey conducted by Haneefa 12 found that the special libraries in Kerala have fairly well developed ICT infrastructure but library staff need proper training for making optimal use of the resources. Borang and Sarma 13 reported status of ICT infrastructure and ICTbased services in libraries of academic institutions in Arunachal Pradesh. The libraries under the study were providing access to Internet, e-resources under consortium activities and OPAC of their own libraries. The university libraries in India are still struggling to build the required ICT infrastructure on one hand and recruit the required human resources to handle them on the other. The earlier studies carried out by Nyamboga and Kemparaju 14 in the year 2002 and Naik 15 in the year 2003 assessed the application of information technology components for library and information services in the selected university libraries of Karnataka during a period IT was making its inroads to the university libraries particularly with the support of INFLIBNET Centre. The UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium was introduced in the year 2004 and this is bound to have had a bearing on the ICT application in university library system in Karnataka. The present study attempts to reaudit the progress made by the university libraries with regard to the ICT infrastructure in light of this background here. Objective of the study Τhe main objective of the study is to find out the status of hardware, software and other ICT infrastructure available in university libraries of Karnataka. Methodology The study is based on the primary data collected from the libraries of those universities which have been established under the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000. The university libraries included in the present study are: Bangalore University Library (BUL) at Bangalore, Gulbarga University Library (GUL) at Gulbarga, Karnatak University Library (KaUL) at Dharwad, Kuvempu University Library (KUL) at Shankaraghatta near Shivamogga, Mangalore University Library (MaUL) at Konaje near Mangalore, and Mysore University Library (MUL) at Mysore. A structured questionnaire was designed to obtain the data from the university librarians. The data hence received was reduced to the statistical tables and simple table analysis done to draw conclusions. Analysis Hardware infrastructure The Mysore University Library has maximum number of server systems (6) followed by Gulbarga University Library with 5, Bangalore University Library and Kuvempu University Library with 3 each, and Karnatak University Library and Mangalore University Library with one server systems each. The number of desktop computers available in the six university libraries varies from 12 in Mangalore University Library to 140 in Gulbarga University Library. Except Gulbarga University Library and Mysore University Library, other university libraries do not have scanner. The Bangalore University Library has 2 barcode printers, and Gulbarga University Library, Kuvempu University Library and Mysore University Library have one barcode printer each. The Gulbarga University Library has maximum of 15 backup devices followed by Karnatak University Library with 2 and Mysore University Library with 1 back-up device. The Gulbarga University Library has 2 LCD projectors whereas Bangalore University Library, Kuvempu University Library and Mysore University Library have one each. The Bangalore University Library, Gulbarga University Library Mangalore University Library and Mysore University Library have one fax machine each. Only Gulbarga University Library and Kuvempu University Library have web camera facility. The Kuvempu University Library has one identity card printer (Table 1). It is apparent from the analysis that the Gulbarga University Library, Bangalore University Library and Kuvempu University Library have better hardware infrastructure compared to the rest.

238 ANN. LIB. INF. STU., DECEMBER 2009 Table 1 Infrastructure facilities in university libraries of Karnataka Sl. No. Hardware BUL GUL KaUL KUL MaUL MUL 1 Computers Server Systems 03 05 01 03 01 06 Desktop Computers 70 140 25 50 12 14 Laptop Computer 01 05-01 - - 2 Printers 03 12 07 09 03 06 3 Scanner for Digitization - 01 - - - 01 Barcode Scanner 03 03 01 01 01 01 5 Barcode Printer 02 01-01 - 01 6 Back-up Device (Tape Drive) - 15 02 - - 01 7 LCD Projector 01 02-01 - 01 8 Fax 01 01 - - 01 9 Web Camera - 02-01 - - 10 UPS 01 01 03 05 01 02 11 Identity Card Printer - - - 01 - - Note: BUL: Bangalore University Library, GUL: Gulbarga University Library, KaUL: Karnatak University Library, KUL: Kuvempu University Library, MaUL: Mangalore University Library; MUL: Mysore University Library Table 2 Software facility in university libraries of Karnataka Sl. No. Software BUL GUL KaUL KUL MaUL MUL 1 House-Keeping NewGen LIBSYS SOUL CDS/ISIS, LIBSYS SLIM++ Operations Lib SOUL 2 Digital Library E-Prints D-Space - E-Prints - NewGen Lib 3 CD-Net - CD- - - - - management NAS 4 Anti-virus Norton McAfee Norton Trend Norton Norton micro 5 Research Data SPSS SPSS - - - SPSS Analysis Note: BUL: Bangalore University Library, GUL: Gulbarga University Library, KaUL: Karnatak University Library, KUL: Kuvempu University Library, MaUL: Mangalore University Library; MUL: Mysore University Library Software Table 2 shows the software facilities available in university libraries under study. In order to automate the house-keeping operations such as acquisition, technical processing, circulation, and serials control, Gulbarga University Library and Mangalore University Library are using LIBSYS. The Karnatak University Library is using SOUL and Kuvempu University Library is using SOUL along with CDS/ISIS. The Bangalore University Library is using NewGenLib, and Mysore University Library is using SLIM++ for automation of house-keeping operations. For the purpose of digital library activities, Bangalore University Library and Kuvempu University Library are using E-Prints, Gulbarga University Library is using DSpace, and Mysore University Library is using NewGenLib. The Karnatak University Library and Mangalore University Library are not using any digital library software. Except Gulbarga University Library, no other library under the study is using CD-Net management software. Four university libraries are using Norton anti-virus software. The Gulbarga University

WALMIKI & GOWDA : ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF KARNATAKA 239 Table 3 Campus LANs of universities Sl. No. Campus LAN BU GU KaU KU MaU M U 1 Established campus Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes LAN 2 Levels of Extension: a) Library Computer - - Yes - - Yes Centre, university b) Computer Centre, and all Academic Departments Library Computer c) Centre, University Yes Yes - - Yes - Computer Centre, Academic Departments, And Administrative Sections Library Computer - - - Yes - - Centre, Academic Departments, Administrative Sections and Residences 3 Maintenance of University University Exam University University Dept. campus LAN Library Computer Section Library Computer of Centre Centre Physics 4 Physical Medium of UTP Cable, UTP Cable, OFC UTP Cable, UTP Cable, OFC Transmission used OFC OFC OFC OFC for LAN Wireless Note: BUL: Bangalore University Library, GUL: Gulbarga University Library, KaUL: Karnatak University Library, KUL: Kuvempu University Library, MaUL: Mangalore University Library; MUL: Mysore University Library Library is using McAfee and Kuvempu University Library is using Trendmicro anti-virus software. The Bangalore University Library, Gulbarga University Library and Mysore University Library are using SPSS for research data analysis. Half of the university libraries do not have software facility for research data analysis. Campus LAN The Local Area Network (LAN) of a university system is essential to provide access to the information sources and services electronically to end-users at their points. The users can be alerted of the information resources such as books and journals procured and / or licensed to have access in the university library over campus LAN. The users can recommend, request for loan or reserve the information resources through campus LAN. The users can also search OPAC of their university library from their desktop and also browse the internet. The status of campus LAN in the universities under the study has been presented in Table 3. All the six universities are found to have established their campus LANs. The Kuvempu University has set up an extensively spread-out campus LAN which reaches out from library to all the academic departments, administrative sections, hostels, guest house and selected residences of the officers and academic staff. The campus LANs of Bangalore University, Gulbarga University and Mangalore University are spread out over the library, university computer centre, academic departments and administrative sections of their respective universities. The campus LANs of Karnatak University Library and Mysore University are restricted

240 ANN. LIB. INF. STU., DECEMBER 2009 Table 4 Internet facilities in the university libraries Sl. Internet facilities BUL GUL KaUL KUL MaUL MUL No. 1 Type of V-SAT, V-SAT V-SAT, Leased V-SAT, Leased connection Leased Leased Line Leased Line Line Line Line 2 Service provider BSNL, ERNET BSNL, BSNL, BSNL, BSNL ERNET India ERNET ERNET ERNET India India India India 3 Bandwidth 512 kbps, 2 Mbps 512 kbps 2Mbps 512 kbps, 2 Mbps 2 Mbps 2Mbps 2 Mbps 4 No. of internet 75 140 25 45 12 15 nodes 5 Browsing Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes section 6 Separate Yes Yes No Yes No Yes browsing section for academic staff 7 No. of internet 18 40-10 - 02 nodes for academic staff 8 Personnel Library Library Library IT trained - Library supervising Staff with Staff Staff with staff staff internet section IT skills with IT IT skills skills 9 Department Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes chamber 10 Levels of All All Chairpersons All Chairpersons All provision Academic Academic of Academic and Professors, Academic Staff Staff Departments Staff Readers Staff 11 Plans to update Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes network infrastructure Note: BUL: Bangalore University Library, GUL: Gulbarga University Library, KaUL: Karnatak University Library, KUL: Kuvempu University Library, MaUL: Mangalore University Library; MUL: Mysore University Library only to the library, university computer centre and academic departments. The Bangalore University Library and Kuvempu University Library have shouldered the responsibility of their campus LAN maintenance. At Gulbarga University and Mangalore University the responsibility rests with the university computer centres. The physical media of transmission used for LAN are UTP cable and OFC in Bangalore University, Gulbarga University, and Mangalore University. Kuvempu University has used wireless connectivity apart from UTP cable and OFC. Karnatak University and Mysore University libraries have used only OFC for the purpose.

WALMIKI & GOWDA : ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF KARNATAKA 241 Internet facilities Internet as a computer network of networks offers access to a vide range of e-resources such as full-text journals, books, reports, standards, newspapers, content pages of journals and books, abstracts and bibliographic databases of research articles, reference sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, etc. In short, it serves as a window to the world of knowledge. The e-mail, bulletin boards, newsgroups, electronic commerce, etc., are few other services of the internet. The internet can be used to support library activities such as acquisition, technical processing and serials control. It is an effective channel for marketing of library and information products and services at global level. The internet facilities made available in the universities with special emphasis on their respective university libraries is as shown in Table 4. The universities under the study have either leased line or V-SAT or both for internet connection either from BSNL or ERNET India, or both of them. The internet bandwidth varies from 512 kbps to 4 mbps. The internet nodes created in the libraries vary from 140 in Gulbarga University Library to only 12 in Mangalore University Library. Except Mangalore University Library, all other university libraries have internet browsing section. Four university libraries have separate internet browsing sections for academic staff. The internet nodes created for academic staff in the libraries varies from 40 in Gulbarga University Library to 2 in Mysore University Library. The Bangalore University Library, Gulbarga University Library and Karnatak University Library have appointed the library staff with IT skills for supervising the Internet sections. The Kuvempu University Library has assigned such responsibility to IT trained staff and Mysore University Library with library staff (not IT trained). Conclusion ICT infrastructure in the university libraries of Karnataka is still at different stages of development. Insufficient computer hardware and suitable software and lack of internet facilities with required bandwidth indicate that university libraries of Karnataka are yet to establish extensive facilities required for efficient information access. Hence, there is an urgent need on the part of the university libraries in Karnataka to plan, implement and develop ICT infrastructure to be fit in facing the challenges ahead of them. References 1. McCredie J, Does IT matter to higher education. EDUCAUSE Review, November/December 2003. Available at: http:// www.educause.edu/ (Accessed on 01-07-2009). 2. Welukar R M and Deshpande S, Growing together through consortium, University News, 40(51) (2002) 1-6. 3. Srinivas K, Implications of globalization of knowledge management, education and learning. In Mukhopadhyay M (Ed). Globalisation Challenges for Education: Focus on Equity and Equality, (Delhi: Shipra Publications), 2003, p.516-522. 4. Li Lili, Emerging Technologies for Academic Libraries. (Oxford: Chandos Publishing), 2009. 5. Mokhtar Shamul Anuar, Alias Rose Alinda and Rahman Azizah Abdul, Rubric for assessing ICT infrastructure in Malaysia higher education. Available at: http://eprints.utm.my/3115/1/ Rubric_For_Assessing_ ICT_Infrastructure_ in_malaysia_ Higher_Education_2006.pdf (Accessed on 01-07-2009). 6. Picket N, (1998). Creating rubrics. Available at: http:// teacher.esuhsd.org/rubrics/ (Accessed on 01-07-2009). 7. UNESCO (2004). Asia-Pacific regional survey in ICT use in education based on performance indicators. Available at: http:/ / www.unescobkk.org (Accessed on 01-07-2009). 8. Nyamboga C M and Kemparaju T D, Information technology in university libraries in Karnataka, Information Development, 18(4) (2002) 257-264. 9. Naik R R, Emerging communication media and its use in the university libraries of Karnataka, In Pandey S K Sharma (Ed). Electronic Information Environment and Library Services: A Contemporary Paradigm (Delhi: Indian Library Association), 2003, p.832-847. 10. Venkata Ramana P and Rao C V, Use of information technology in central university libraries in India, DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 23(2) (2003) 25-42. 11. Mahapatra R K and Padhi P, Application of information technology in libraries in Orissa: problems and prospects, IASLIC Bulletin, 49(3) (2004) 147-151. 12. Haneefa K M, Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure in Special Libraries in Kerala, Annals of Library and Information Studies, 55(1) (2006) 31-42. 13. Borang K and Sarma G K, Application of ICT in two major academic institution libraries in Arunachal Pradesh: a survey. In Jagadish Arora et al. (Eds). From Automation to Transformation. (Ahmedabad: INFLIBNET Centre), 2008 p.22-27. 14. Op.cit. Nyamboga C M and Kemparaju T D. 15. Op.cit. Naik R R.